Refugee Sponsorship enables approved New Zealand-based community organisations to apply to sponsor refugees and support their settlement in the community.

This gives communities the opportunity to play an active role in helping refugees settle into their new life in New Zealand.

Under the extended pilot, 150 refugees will be sponsored to resettle in communities throughout New Zealand over the next three years.

HOST Aotearoa New Zealand will work with Immigration New Zealand to implement the pilot, and support community groups and refugees throughout the journey, helping them navigate the processes and ensuring the right supports are in place for sponsored refugees and communities.

The appointment is a significant milestone for New Zealand’s Refugee Sponsorship programme, with applications for community sponsors scheduled to open in November 2021.

“We’re looking forward to the opportunities that this partnership will bring to refugees who meet the criteria and want to resettle in New Zealand,” says Fiona Whiteridge, General Manager Refugee and Migrant Services Immigration New Zealand.

“Community sponsorship offers a different pathway, where refugees are sponsored and supported by community organisations throughout the country.”

“We’re excited about the role that local communities will be able to play in helping shape the experiences and settlement of refugees as they begin their new lives in New Zealand.”

About the refugee sponsorship programme